MANCHESTER — Manchester United manager David Moyes will be out to secure his first win at Old Trafford when they face newly promoted Crystal Palace today.
Soccerway
The defending Premier League champions head into the game against Ian Holloway’s men after suffering a 1-0 defeat to fierce rivals Liverpool before the international break.
United are just one point ahead of Palace, who earned their first win of the season with a 3-1 triumph over Sunderland at Selhurst Park, after the first three games, with their only success coming on the opening day against Swansea City.
The defeat at Anfield — which followed a dour 0-0 home draw with Chelsea — marked the first time that United have failed to score in consecutive league matches since 2007.
However, Moyes, who never won at the home of United while in charge of Everton, should be confident of earning his first victory on home soil against a Palace team that has collected just 25 points from their last 24 league games on their travels.
United will be boosted by the presence of Marouane Fellaini, a deadline-day signing from Everton in midfield, but Wayne Rooney misses out with a head injury.
Phil Jones (ankle) and Rafael (hamstring) are also doubts, and Palace will travel north with some hope having beaten United in the League Cup in 2011.
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Manchester City travel to Stoke City on Saturday looking for their first ever Premier League victory at the Britannia Stadium.
The 2011-12 champions have visited Stoke on five occasions since their return to the top flight in 2008, collecting just four points along the way.
The last four league meetings between the sides in the Midlands have ended in 1-1 draws, with Javi Garcia earning a point for the visitors after Peter Crouch’s opener in the most recent clash there in September last year.
However, both sides go into this clash under new management, with Manuel Pellegrini having taken the reins at the Etihad Stadium after Roberto Mancini’s departure late last season, while former City boss Mark Hughes has replaced Tony Pulis at Stoke.
Arsenal’s club-record signing Mesut Ozil is in line to make his debut in today’s Premier League clash against Sunderland.
The former Real Madrid playmaker joined the London club on the final day of the transfer window and could be handed his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt at the Stadium of Light.
Manager Arsene Wenger believes the Germany international will add even further depth to his side, who have enjoyed a positive start to the new Premier League season and sit fourth after bouncing back from an opening-day defeat to Aston Villa with back-to-back wins.
“Ozil has a style that will integrate (with) our style of play,” Wenger said. “He has all the attributes to be one of our leaders.
“Ozil is at a good age, he is already a great player. There is room for him to become dominant and step up.”
Everton could become just the third side in Premier League history to draw their opening four matches when they meet Chelsea today.
Crystal Palace were the first to do so in the maiden Premier League season, while Stoke City matched the record last term on their way to drawing 15 games in the campaign – a total matched only by Everton.
Roberto Martinez’s side have been held by Norwich City, West Brom and Cardiff City so far this season, and they have also drawn against Chelsea in all competitions more times (52) than they have beaten them (51).
Their failure to win so far this season has stemmed from an inability to convert possession and chances into goals.
No side in the division has averaged a higher possession figure than Everton, with the Goodison Park outfit boasting an impressive 64.1 per cent, while their return of two goals from 54 shots underlines their troubles in front of goal.
